1. Luke 18:14ff JUSTIFIED!

2. And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: Luke 18:9 HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Justified Means: To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid: To declare free of blame; absolve. Theology. To free (a human being) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used only of God

3. "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.‘” HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; " Luke 18:14

4. "But the tax collector…” A monster Unforgivable Bad company "The Pharisee…” A good man Respectable Confident, self-assured HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Self-Justified (Luke 18:9-12 ) GOD-Justified (Luke 18:13) “I want to be like this” "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled” God does not want you to be like this “I don’t want to be like this!” “but he who humbles himself will be exalted." God wants you to be like this!

5. People who trust in themselves. HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Self-Justified ( Luke 18:9-12)

6. “God, be merciful to me, the sinner! ” Luke 18:13 People who trust in themselves. HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Self-Justified ( Luke 18:9-12) GOD-Justified (Luke 18:13) Business DealLove Relationship

7. A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Warning: not recommended for marriages, parenting, friendships, or any healthy relationship. “If I have to explain it to you, then you aren’t listening…” Is she crazy? Or RIGHT? Why bribe God? Why bribe anyone you love? Is he CRAZY? Or CLUELESS?

8.  Gift-Oriented (GRACE)  Forgiveness  Compassionate A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Warning: not recommended for marriages, parenting, friendships, or any healthy relationship. IS recommended for marriages, parenting, friendships, or any healthy relationship.

9.  Gift-Oriented (GRACE)  Forgiveness  Compassionate A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." Luke 18:15-17

10.  Gift-Oriented (GRACE)  Forgiveness  Compassionate A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED?

11.  Gift-Oriented (GRACE)  Forgiveness  Compassionate A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Much SELFISHNESS required Much MATURITY required growing DOWN growing UP

12.  Gift-Oriented (GRACE)  Forgiveness  Compassionate A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFIED? Howard Hughes Steve Jobs Stalin Jesus YOU!

13. Means Ask for God’s mercy And receive God’s love. Stop proving/defending yourself. Hypocrisy Game, or: “I am the sinner” Stop condemning others Learn what compassion means. "I can assure you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other…” “…Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14